Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q40/00—Finance; Insurance; Tax strategies; Processing of corporate or income taxes
  • G06Q40/02—Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to computerized information systems and more particularly to computer implemented financial modeling systems.
• Another problem with many existing financial management systems is that the user is typically limited to managing the transactional details of their financial data. In these systems the user is shielded from the planning and deciding aspects of developing their financial plan.
• the present invention combines automated coaching with live advising within the framework of a financial counseling and modeling system. This allows a user to get the benefits of a live advisor's expertise, and experience and as well as the convenience and cost savings of an automated coach. An automated coach alerts and focuses the user attention to the issues to be addressed, and frames decisions to be made. A live advisor supplies specific, innovative solutions based on the user's unique financial situation. Automated coaching helps focus the user's attention to specific problems and the live advisor provides specific solutions to those problems. This makes a more efficient use of the time spent with the live advisor.
• the present invention also provides for a computing system that integrates the components of a user's financial life into a strategic model.
• the system comprises an intentions profile subsystem and an aggregated modeling subsystem.
• the intentions profile subsystem captures the user's intentions in a dynamic and interactive computing environment.
• the aggregated modeling subsystem combines data from the intentions profile subsystem and external market data to create a realistic life model of the user's lifetime financial health.
• the quantity and kinds of services received by the user from the system is in part based on the service level agreement.
• the user and the financial institution negotiate a service level suitable for the user and profitable for the financial institution.
• the access to the type and quantity of data provided by the user is also limited by the service level agreement.
• the user interacts with the system through a user specific web page environment, wherein the web page is customized to the user based on his financial model and the data provided.
• the user's life intentions maybe expressed as revenue intentions and expense intentions and are captured in a LifePath model.
• the model integrates and displays the user's intentions as lifetime cash flow requirements.
• Lifepath cash flow model highlights potential problems in the future and help focus the user and advisor's attention directly to these areas in need of attention.
• the LifePath model may include a risk modeling module that allows the user to introduce random life risk events into the LifePath model in order to stress test his financial stability.
• the risk modeling system combines actuarial data along with the user's interactions to foster an intuitive understanding of the user's exposure to financial risk.
• the user has access to an automated rule-based coaching system directing the user's attention to the possible financial problems and suggesting areas to focus attention on. Furthermore, the user further has access to a live advisor for more specific financial advice. The access to the automated coaching and the live advisor is controlled in part by the service level agreement.
• the user can take advantage of the cost savings and convenience of an automated system as well as the full benefits of the expertise of a live financial advisor.
• the user may take full advantage of his time with a live advisor by directly attacking the problem and not waste any time identifying his problem and modeling his financial goals. All the information the live advisor needs has been formatted in a useful manner by the financial counseling and modeling system with the help of the automated coaching engine.
• Figure 1 illustrates a representative system architecture in accordance with a preferred embodiment
• Figure 2 is a block diagram of a financial management system
• Figure 4 is a block diagram of a financial management system
• Figure 5 is a flow diagram a financial management system
• Figure 6 is a flow diagram of a Service level agreement process
• Figure 7 is an illustration of a LifePath model web page interface
• Figure 8 is another illustration of a LifePath model web page interface
• Figure 9 is an illustration of a investment portfolio generator web page interface
• Figure 10 is a flow diagram of an operation of the Investment Portfolio generator in accordance with a preferred embodiment
• Figure 11 is a flow diagram of how to set risk tolerance operation in greater detail
• Figure 12 is a flow diagram of how to set investment style operation in greater detail
• Figure 13 is a flow diagram of how to set Bull/Bear attitude operation in greater detail
• Figure 14 is a flow diagram of how to build a computer generated portfolio
• Figure 15 is a flow diagram of how to model an existing portfolio
• Figure 16 is a flow diagram of how to rebalance a portfolio
• Figure 17 is a flow diagram of an automated coaching and live advisor subsystems in accordance with a preferred embodiment.
• FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a financial management information system, in accordance with the present invention, for providing personalized financial advice in a collaborative computing environment.
• financial management system 100 includes a financial advisor system 102 connected through a wide area network 104 to the live advisor terminal 106 a user terminal 110.
• the wide area network 104 is a global network such as the Internet.
• the Internet is based on the TCP/IP communication protocol first developed by the Department Of Defense in the 1960s.
• the present invention is not limited to the Internet and the TCP/IP protocol.
• the present invention can be implemented using any other protocols and many other networking system, including wireless networks, the Network File Service (NFS) protocol used by Sun Microsystems or a Novel network based on the UDP/IPX protocol.
• NFS Network File Service
• the financial advisor system 102 communicates with the user through any number of devices such as handheld wireless personal organizers, pagers, cellular telephones, land telephones and regular desktop computers. All of the above equipment can act as a user terminal 110.
• the user may access the system using a user terminal 110 (e.g. personal computer).
• a typical user computer terminal would be described in more detail in figure 3.
• the user computer is preferably equipped with software to receive live streaming video and/or still pictures over the wide area network 104, from the advisor video camera 108-B.
• the user terminal 110 is further equipped with a video camera 108-A and software to transmit live streaming video from the user, across the network 104 to the live advisor at the advisor terminal 106.
• Access to the live financial advisor 106 and all other services provided by the Financial management system is controlled and channeled through the Financial Advisor system 102.
• the user can access the financial advisor system 102 through the network 104 or by telephone 109-A.
• a user telephone call is channeled through a call center discussed further subsequently in Figure 2 to the Financial Advisor System and to the live advisor 106.
• firewall server 112 controls the access to the financial advisor system.
• the purpose and functionality of a firewall server is to prevent access to the system by unauthorized users and it would be appreciated by one skilled in the arts.
• Firewall servers are available through a variety of vendors and have become a standard feature of any secure system used as the primary defense against intruders and hackers.
• the web server 114 provides a personalized interactive web page environment for the user to operate in once he accesses the system.
• the web page is acting as the web interface between the financial system Web pages are created using the Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), scripting languages such as Java ScriptTM or PearlTM as well as Java TM applets. Creation of customized web page using any of the above programming languages is well within the scope of one skilled in the arts.
• the personalized web page provides an environment and an interface for the user to interact with the financial advisor system 102. As an example, in one embodiment of the present invention, by selecting an appropriate icon from the interactive personalized website, the user is able to learn, plan, decide, transact and monitor his financial model.
• the mail server 116 handles electronic mail communication between the user and the financial advisor system 102.
• the Mail server 116 may operate using any standard protocol such as Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and it is within the scope of the knowledge of one skilled in the art.
• SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol
• the call center 117 includes an Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) server 122, an Interactive Voice Response Server (IVR) 124, a Computer Telephony Integration (CTI) server 118 and a RM workstation 125, all interconnected through a Local Area Network or intranet 127.
• ACD Automatic Call Distribution
• IVR Interactive Voice Response Server
• CTI Computer Telephony Integration
• the IVR server 120 obtains some information about the calling user, this information is delivered to the live advisor's workstation 106, so the advisor does not have to request the same information again.
• the user can user other means of communication such as electronic mail or white board TM simultaneously while he is interacting with the live advisor.
• the Data server 128 stores user input data and supplies the application Server 126.
• the data server 128 includes outside database sources from which the financial advising system 102 can draw information such as actuarial data such as historical price data on securities from sources such as Reuters, user financial information such as banking and portfolio information in other financial institution, and market information such as the days closing numbers for various market indices as well as individual stock securities pricing information. Formatted in the Open File Exchange (OFX) format, now the accepted internet standard used by programs such as QuickenTM and MS Money TM the data server through the firewall can easily exchange information with the outside world and specifically the user.
• OFX Open File Exchange
• a networked personal computer environment a client-server system, a mainframe terminal environment, WEB TV terminal environment, dumb terminal environments can be used to access the financial management system of present invention.
• a client-server system may be the most preferable computing system for implementing the financial system of the present invention.
• the representation of each server such as an application server or a data server, is a logical representation. The actual physical systems may be distributed over many servers, or be included on a single machine.
• Figure 4 represents an illustration of the data flow of a financial Advisor System 102 of the present invention.
• a user using for example the user computer 110, preferably connects to the Financial Advisor system 102 over the wide area network 104. After authentication by a firewall server, the user at a user terminal 110 enters the Financial Advisor system 102 at the service level subsystem 160.
• the service level agreement provides the level of services to which the user is entitled. Once the user has negotiated a service level agreement 161 , he is prompted to select the model to be used in operation 162.
• the level of service and support selected in the service level agreement 160 controls the user's access to different modeling tools.
• the Lifepath model may be the hub of the financial institution's relationship.
• the LifePath model provides data to all coaching engine allowing customized coaching output to be dispensed to the user based on his unique financial situation.
• the LifePath model combines all the pertinent financial information about a user in one coherent and comprehensive picture and models the user's life intentions into an aggregated cash flow system over a user selected period of time.
• the LifePath model 164 maintains an interactive dialog between the user and financial management system 100.
• the LifePath model integrates the financial information available about the user in accordance with the user's service level agreement 160 to create an aggregate forecast of cash flow over the user's lifetime.
• the financial information available about the user includes the user's life intentions data 166 and the user's external financial data 168.
• the user's external financial data can include current checking account information from the user's bank or data related the user's 40 IK plan.
• the system is capable of dynamically analyzing the financial needs of the user and providing the user with an understanding of their financial health at any point with minimal input form the user.
• personalized service level agreement 160 can optionally allow the user to limit the system's and/or advisor's access to the user's external financial data 168.
• the user may by pass the LifePath model and start with a portfolio modeling tool 182.
• the availability of the portfolio modeling tool is based on the user's service level agreement 161.
• the user would supply his financial portfolio information to the financial advising system 102, either directly using the user terminal 110 or indirectly through the wide area network 104, by accessing a multiplicity of databases 166, 168 and 170, and accessing information such as his securities portfolio at a particular brokerage firm.
• a financial portfolio modeling tool 182 is an interactive tool that has access to the all the information available to the Lifepath model 162, such as the user's life intentions data 166, the user's external financial data 168, as well as external market data 170.
• User insight data 167 and aggregated data from the Lifepath model 165 is also available to the portfolio modeling tool. As a result the user has little to input and may start using the portfolio model 182 very quickly without the need to do a lot of tedious data input.
• the financial portfolio modeling also allows the user to access a computer coach and/or a live advisor based in part on the service level agreement.
• An alternative embodiment allows the user to use the LifePath model 164 and set his long term financial goals and then use the portfolio modeling tool 182 to adjust his investment portfolio to better achieve his long term financial goals.
• the LifePath interactive financial model may capture customer's intentions at the start of the relationship and displays them as lifetime cash flow requirements. Customer data and LifePath information combine to form a deep understanding of the customer's financial needs at each stage of life. Using dynamic, interactive multimedia, it quickly captures the customer's intentions and expectations about an ideal future. This flushes out some issues which trigger the initial discussions in the relationship. It also supports estimating the lifetime value of the customer and the appropriate levels of service. The data from this model combines with insight from product and transaction history as well as real time input from the abundance of interactive models to power rule-based advice engines. This automated advice leverages the advisor's time so that a broad customer based can be profitably supported. Configured using sliders and other interactive controls, there is little typing to slow the process down. The controls build a linear graphic representation of a life path which models predictable life transitions over time more effectively then data-driven calculators. Sales opportunities, lifetime customer value and appropriate fee structure are now more accurately identified.
• advice generating subsystem 172 also recommends product solutions to the user.
• the coaching engine 174 can recommend that the user include deposit products and loan products in their financial plan.
• the coaching engine 174 can recommend that the user acquire a certain mortgage or bridge financing.
• the coaching engine 174 can also direct the user to the need for financial products such as, home improvement, line of credit, or credit card products.
• Coaching engine 174 can also have access to product information from various financial institutions (not shown). Accordingly, the user can request additional information about the various products recommended by the system.
• User terminal 110 is part of collaborative computing environment 178 and is in data communication with virtual coach 180 and the advisor terminal 106 through communications network 104.
• communication network 104 is the Internet.
• the advice and product solutions generated by the advice generating subsystem 172 are presented to the user through virtual coach 180.
• Virtual coach 180 presents the product recommendation with accompanying rationale.
• the user may or may not wish to contact the dedicated financial advisor for additional advice or information.
• the financial advisor is able to operate more productively.
• the user can test different scenarios by altering the data captured by life path model 164. Each scenario can then be analyzed by coaching engine 174.
• the virtual coach 180 is further described in the related U.S.
• the user can optionally interact with a dedicated financial advisor 106 through communications network 104.
• financial advisor 106 is located in a call center 118 on a relationship manager's workstation 125.
• modeling tools for analyzing various financial instruments such as bonds, reverse mortgages, option contracts and a like may be available to the user.
• Figure 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an embodiment of the Financial Advisor system 102.
• the service level agreement process 160 may be one possible entry point for the user into the Financial Advisor system 102, where the user negotiates a service level agreement and sets the level of financial service desired.
• the service level agreement 161 defines the user's desired level of advisor support as well as limiting the system's access to user provided information.
• the user After the service level agreement 1 2 has been negotiated, the user makes a first pass through the LifePath model 164. Note operation 184.
• the user may input its life intentions in terms of revenue intentions and expense intentions.
• the system then aggregates the information into a cash flow analysis over a user's income and expenses over a user defined period of time.
• the model may also include external data related to the user's finances.
• the system may estimate the probable customer profitability 186 based on the user's financial plan given the user's life intentions and other financial information.
• the user can renegotiate the service level agreement negotiation or revisit LifePath model 184 to modify the model parameters, and then prompt the system to re-estimate the probable user profitability 184.
• context sensitive automated computer coaching 192 is provided to the user using a coaching engine based on business logic rule-based engine.
• the rules repository 176 supplies business rules.
• the automated coaching engine 174 may highlight for the user periods within his LifePath model which need special attention, such as a projected cash deficit or cash surplus.
• the user may accept or reject the LifePath model 194. If the user rejects the LifePath model, he may further modify and fine tune the LifePath model 188 until he is satisfied.
• the life path model process 196 is followed by an Executive activity process 198 where the system allows the user to assume an executive decision-making role in making their financial future.
• the executive activity process 198 enhances the user's ability to manage his or her financial life from an executive perspective. For example, through interaction with the system, the user learns 200, plans 202, or decides 204 the respective elements of their financial plan. Since the LifePath model 164 projects the user's cash flow in the future, the user may use the LifePath modeling tool 164 to change input variables such as savings, salary and expenses, and observe the long term effect of the changes on his financial goals.
• the intuitive graphical display of the LifePath model allows the user to get an immediate qualitative as well as quantitative feedback of the effects of the incremental changes on his long term goals.
• the user may choose to initiate a transaction 206 based upon the advice generated by the system.
• both the automated coaching and the live advisor may recommend various financial products suitable to the user's financial situation.
• the user may monitor 208 and/or manage 210 the status of the products selected.
• the learn icon 200 allows the user to obtain information on the products recommended by the automated coaching engine or the live advisor.
• the system may have to access outside databases to access third party products which may be beneficial to the user's financial situation.
• the rule based coaching further may check the governmental regulations and impacts of adding or deleting a specific product to the user's financial portfolio.
• the governmental regulations analyzed can include an analysis of the tax consequences of using a certain product specific to the user.
• Figure 6 is a logical flowchart of the service level agreement process within the service level agreement negotiation 182.
• financial advising takes place within the framework of a service level agreement negotiated between the customer and the financial system.
• the SLA nails down how much advisor time the customer wants, how information will be shared, and how much intentions-based advice the customer will welcome.
• the advisor configures the Web site in accordance with this agreement.
• the investment of effort in this, along with the personal online relationship begins to develop "stickiness".
• Much of the communication presented by the system is generated by rule-based business logic. This is what leverages the advisors, extending their reach.
• the client negotiates a Service Level Agreement at the start of the relationship for desired level of advisor support and how the model and/or the live advisor and the financial institution providing the service may or may not use their personal information.
• Website functionality can provide new levels of customer support even if customer wants low level of advisor interaction.
• the service level agreement process 160 determines a level of system management he desires 210. This includes a determination of how much service and what kinds of service the user desires.
• the user determines the level of coaching and advice desired 212. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user may limit himself to the use of automated coaching advice. Alternatively, the user can also limit the level and types of communication he desires 214.
• the service level agreement allows the customer to tailor an explicit understanding about how much and what kinds of service will be needed to meet his needs. This allows the system to match a service package to expected customer profitability, establishes the basis for service fees, and sets a service qualify standard against which the system must deliver.
• the terms of the service level agreement include a determination of how personal information will be shared and used, how much administration will be off-loaded to the financial advice system, how much modeling and advice is desired by the user or required by the services selected, how much management of external and internal primary advisors will be needed, how day to day communications are handled, and how third party product brokerage will be managed. This list is by no means a comprehensive list and , alternative embodiment of the present invention have different service level agreement terms. At the end of the service level agreement
• Figure 7 is an illustration of a LifePath model web page interface.
• the web page of figure 7 shows an embodiment of a customized web site using an intuitive user interface for the
• the web site may be a personalized web site that a client uses to collaborate with a dedicated virtual (or live) financial advisor.
• the graphical user interface can include an advisor area 216, where images of the live advisor may be represented as a still images, as streaming video, or represented by a character. Selecting a link, such as the Contact Advisor link 218 shown, causes a connection to the advisor to be established.
• the advisor and the user are able to communicate orally via network telephony of a type known in the art, but communication via email, chat, telephone call, or of any other type is acceptable as discussed in Figure 2.
• the advisor uses the space to negotiate an initial Service Level Agreement (SLA), and begin the modeling of the customer's Lifepath. This flushes out issues and permits an early estimate of customer value potential.
• SLA Service Level Agreement
• a link 220 may be provided that allows access to email.
• Other links can include a link 222 to personal memoranda, a link 224 to a links page, and a link 226 to a financial calendar.
• a calendar 228 and links 230 to news stories may be displayed on the page.
• the news can be customized by each user to fit his individual needs.
• a virtual coach area 232 of the page may be provided to display the comments and advice created by the virtual coach.
• client data drives a rules-based "advice engine” that dynamically analyzes customer needs and automates most of advisor's work.
• the client may be encouraged to consolidate all their financial information in the site, recognizing assets and liabilities with other financial institutions.
• the virtual coaching area can be used both as customized coaching and as a platform to introduce various financial products, including third party products brokered by the financial institution owning the financial advisor system.
• selecting the learn button 234 may bring up a portion of the screen (or a new screen) that discusses the functions and features of the financial management system.
• the learn button may be used to obtain specific information on the financial products presented to the user.
• the plan button 236 may display the LifePath model in time series form.
• a decide button 238 may display a screen that allows the user to make financial decisions, such as allowing a user to select transactions recommended by the advisor and or the virtual coach.
• a transact button 240 may display a transaction screen on which the user performs transactions.
• a monitor button 242 may display current and or historical information about transactions made by the user and or financial performance.
• the user is provided with an individual button for each of the income information categories 244.
• the user can input their income information such as salary, investment, pension, alimony, or disability, or other financial information as shown in Figure 8.
• the user can input their expense intentions which are shown by the category of interactive buttons 246.
• the user can input expense information such as housing, transportation, education, health care, or other expense information as shown in Figure 8.
• the "other" button under the revenue category enables the user to input user specific sources of revenue such as inheritance. Same flexibility applies to the expense category allowing the user to input types of expenses not categorized under the standard expense icons.
• the user may import his past revenue and expenses from financial programs such as QuickenTM or MS Money TM simplifying reducing the amount of typing necessary to do so.
• GUI graphical user interface
• the risk events 248 may include various life events that may affect the user's life path model.
• the user can request that the model include job loss, disability, casualty, market downturn, or other personal risk factors into their life path model.
• the risk modeling component uses actuarial data from outside databases to supply the data related to the probability and the effect of the occurrence of a particular risk event.
• the user may estimate the impact of a particular risk event. For example a user may estimate the possibility of a job loss knowing his skill sets and the status of the job market. Furthermore, he can better predict the length of time he may be out of work.
• the user can select button 250 to run the life path model and initiate the advice generating subsystem. Accordingly, the user is provided with detailed advice in window 252 that is tailored to the user's life intentions and the risk events specified. As shown in window 252, the user is provided with a clear automated coaching tailored to his or her life intentions gathered by the life path model. Furthermore, the coaching incorporates the risk events specified from the risk factors 248.
• the graphical display 253 in figure 8 is a time series representation of the aggregated total of the user's cash flow over a selected period of time, based on the user provided revenue intentions 244 and expense intentions 246.
• the system provides the user with virtual coaching that watches the actions of the user while progressing through the life path model and provides the user with suggestions to ensure that they continue to comply with his or her life intentions.
• the financial advisor system 102 includes a portfolio modeling tool subsystem 182. The user would get to the model either after having setup a financial profile through the LifePath model 164 or he can access the financial portfolio building model directly.
• Figure 9 is an exemplary graphical user interface 254 that embodies the various concepts and methods set forth for financial portfolio modeling in one embodiment of the present invention.
• the graphical user interface 254 includes a plurality of fundamental selection icons 256 including a my page icon 258 for displaying a graphical user interface specifically tailored for a particular user, a save icon 260 for saving any changes made to the graphical user interface 254, an export icon 262 for exporting data displayed by the graphical user interface 254, a print icon 264 for printing various fields of the graphical user interface 254, a help icon 266 for obtaining help information, and an exit icon 268 for exiting the graphical user interface 254.
• fundamental selection icons 256 including a my page icon 258 for displaying a graphical user interface specifically tailored for a particular user, a save icon 260 for saving any changes made to the graphical user interface 254, an export icon 262 for exporting data displayed by the graphical user interface 254, a print icon 264 for printing various fields of the graphical user interface 254, a help icon
• My page icon 258 displays a web page that can be customized to each user's need, simplifying the use of the portfolio model 182.
• the portfolio modeling system may use the Open File Exchange (OFX) protocol which has become the standard protocol for the exchange of financial information over a wide area network , and particularly the internet.
• OFX Open File Exchange
• the mode icons 270 may include a transact icon
• the Wide Area Network 272 for initiating transactions involving the purchasing and selling of investments utilizing a network
• a monitor icon 274 for monitoring the performance of the investments
• a model icon 276 for generating an investment model based on criteria entered by the user
• an explore icon 278 for retrieving information on the investments
• a track icon 280 for tracking the investments utilizing the network.
• Network 104 is the Internet and the portfolio modeling system 182 has access to outside databases such as Reuters and Bloomberg for historical and current securities pricing and market indexes.
• a communication medium 282 may be employed to converse with other users, namely financial advisers, etc.
• Such communication medium 282 may include a window 284, and a plurality of communications icons 286 that enable various types of communication between the user and the live coach or advisor.
• Such communications icons 286 include an e-mail icon, a chat icon, a voice icon, a talk icon, a clips icon, and a video icon.
• the mail server 116 and call center 118 allow the user to contact the advisor by email or telephone call.
• the mail server may further support live chat and voice over the network as well as a collaborative medium such as a White BoardTM . Depending on the bandwidth available to the user, he may receive still pictures or live streaming video of the advisor, or he may see an animation.
• a filtering field 288 is also shown in Figure 9.
• Such filtering field 288 may include a plurality of companies and associated risk levels and industries which are displayed in accordance with the user's appropriate tolerance to risk and investment style.
• a risk/reward map 290 is also shown displaying the probability of the user reaching its financial goals.
• a coaching window 292 for displaying coaching strings 294 based on a rule-based automated coaching engine.
• Such window 292 may include a field adjustment bar 296 in order to facilitate viewing of the coaching strings 294.
• a profile may be viewed and adjusted using a plurality of profile icons 304. This ease of use helps the user to feel comfortable with the system and trusting of it, allowing him to take full advantage of the all the integrated features of the system.
• the user may set a targeted goal for his investment portfolio as well as his preferences by selecting the target and preference icon 306. He may do an analysis on his past or present portfolio by selecting the portfolio analysis icon 308. He may trigger specific coaching on specific a security or group of securities or even on whole industry sectors, as well as request more detail information by selecting the stock analyst icon 310. He may further model and analyze the effect of inclusion or exclusion of particular securities on his portfolio by swapping stocks in and out of the portfolio 312. When selecting a particular icon co ⁇ esponding to the various tools, a corresponding help text string appears in the help screen 314, directing the user on how to use the particular tool.
• the network may be utilized to provide the subject coaching from an investment coaching engine in operations 322, where such coaching relates to the setting of the parameters.
• the coaching may be provided by utilizing a look-up table which is capable of generating various combinations of advice based on the settings.
• the advice may be generated using any other type of artificial intelligence system.
• At least one financial model for a portfolio of the subject is subsequently generated in operation 324 based on the setting of the parameters. This may be generated using a system similar to that which generates the coaching, or any other desired means.
• the network is again used to provide coaching from the investment coaching engine to the subject with the coaching relating to the generated financial model.
• the personal investment parameters may include a risk tolerance parameter 326.
• the coaching by the coaching engine 328 may provide a textual risk tolerance profile for the subject based upon an inte ⁇ retation of cu ⁇ ent risk tolerance parameters of the subject as textual analysis.
• the personal investment parameters may include an investment style parameter 330.
• the coaching by the coaching engine 332 provides a textual investment style profile for the subject based upon an interpretation of current investing style parameters of the subject as textual analysis.
• the personal investment parameters may include a bull/bear attitude parameter 334.
• a bull attitude is one of optimism that the stock market will go up, while a bear attitude is where the user believes the stock market would go down.
• coaching by the related coaching engine 336 provides a textual description of an implied future of financial markets and graphs showing forecast curves of financial markets based upon the building of financial market forecasts which are, in turn, based upon evaluations from financial experts.
• the coaching by the coaching engine 342 relating to the setting of the asset mix parameters in operation 344 provides a rationalization of the asset mix based on personal and financial parameters of the subject and at least one computer generated asset mix. No penny stocks would be included if the subject is conservative, only treasury bills.
• a pie chart may also be included that represents a portfolio showing the subject's assets.
• the financial model comprises a model of an existing investment portfolio of the subject. Note operation 346.
• the coaching by the coaching engine 348 provides an analysis of market-related growth by security and sector, trend analysis, fee and service analysis, and/or dividend and interest impact based upon transaction history and cu ⁇ ent market values of the existing investment portfolio.
• the coaching by the coaching engine 348 may also provide an analysis of growth, risk and value of the existing investment portfolio based on market data and expert analyst opinion.
• the coaching by the coaching engine 348 may provide an evaluation of the existing investment portfolio relative to the personal and financial parameters of the subject based on a comparison of growth and volatility projected forecasts to the personal and financial parameters of the subject. It should be noted that similar capabilities may be provided using a model based on a computer generated portfolio in operation 350.
• the financial model may include a model of an investment portfolio of the subject generated by the subject alone or with the input of a private banker.
• Coaching by the coaching engine 354 provides an analysis of growth, risk and value of each security in the investment portfolio based on a concatenated, user- friendly English format of market data and expert analyst opinion obtained utilizing the wide area network 104.
• the coaching by the coaching engine 354 may provide an evaluation of the contributions of securities in the investment portfolio relative to the personal and financial parameters of the subject based on a comparison of the personal and financial parameters of the subject to an analysis of risk compliance, growth, and volatility.
• the automated coaching engines mentioned above are further described in the related U.S. application titled Automated
• a financial risk management subsystem may include traditional fundamental/technical data and analyst interpretation. Much of this is meaningless to the average investor however.
• the present invention's approach meets their information and learning requirements in these ways. First it develops detailed profiles of the user's investment personality and customizes all information such as coaching to the user profile. Second the system uses coaching engines to translate fundamental and technical data into natural language textual coaching string outputs, customized to the user. Furthermore, the financial modeling and counseling system alerts the user to investment activities which are incompliant with his personal investment parameters such as his risk tolerance, investment style and so on ... The financial modeling and counseling system further provides automated coaching throughout the investment process.
• Risk tolerance, investment style and financial outlook are established through a series of interactive multimedia- based scenarios which unfold online. These exercises provide immediate coaching feedback to the user. The results are stored as a multidimensional profile which is used by modeling and coaching activities throughout the portfolio management process.
• Figure 11 is a flow diagram illustrating the set risk tolerance operation 326 in an embodiment of the present invention.
• he is prompted for the security type to be used for risk profiling 358.
• an iteratively negative financial scenario is presented to the user and he is asked if he wants to bail out once confronted with this scenario 362.
• the negative scenarios presented to the user are generated by the coaching engine 328 and may include scenarios such as negative news related to a particular security and the company's future growth or performance and profitability. Faced with this situation, the user may decide to hold on to the particular security or sell and bail out.
• the representations may include both textual and graphical representation, and may further include headline news indirectly related to the particular company.
• the scenario generated may encompass as whole sector or industry such as the interest sensitive construction industry. Both indirect economic news such as a forecast of future interest rate and direct economic news such as declining housing starts or sales of new homes are presented to the user and his reaction to the negative news is indicative of his personal risk tolerance.
• the user selects to bail out 364 based on the negative financial scenario, his risk tolerance profile is adjusted accordingly 366. If the user refuse to bail out, he is confronted with an iteratively more negative market scenarios 360 scenario and again he has the option to bail out 364. Depending on when the user selects to bail out 364, the system adjusts the user risk profile for that security type 366. The process is repeated for other types of investment such as Retirement, Tax defe ⁇ ed environment. At the end of the process, the automated coaching generates coaching to describe the user's risk tolerance profile at 366 and the process is complete at 368. Alternatively, the user's risk tolerance level can be set manually by a third person such as the live advisor or even possibly by the user himself.
• Figure 12 illustrates a flow diagram for determining an investment style in a network- based financial framework.
• the present technique is intended to not just ask questions, but provide scenarios. It sets up a portfolio of stocks that an investor can trade or not trade on these fictitious stocks, and provides examples of how the stock market can move.
• the present method develops a profile and helps target information effectively for the particular person. Coaching is strategically designed to keep the risk minimal by avoiding telling what someone should do. Scenarios will also identify areas of weakness in one's knowledge.
• the interactive input exercise may include top down or bottom up test scenarios 372, trading frequency test scenarios 374, needs for information and research test scenarios 376, level of expertise test scenarios 378, and/or strategic or pragmatic test scenarios 380.
• top down or bottom up test scenarios 372 trading frequency test scenarios 374
• needs for information and research test scenarios 376 level of expertise test scenarios 378
• strategic or pragmatic test scenarios 380 For example, a bottom up investor would start with a vision of the economy and decide what to invest in, and then they would look at one stock at a time and make a decision.
• Trading frequency is used by the system to project the user's portfolio performance in the future by taking into account trading cost.
• Level of expertise scenarios may be used to customize coaching strings and the level of explanation put forth by the automated coaching.
• an investment profile of the subject is generated based on the at least one interactive input exercise in operation 382.
• Coaching is also provided for the subject based on the generated investment profile.
• a display may be generated for the subject based on the generated investment profile. Note operation 384.
• the user may reject his investment style parameter as presented to him by the automated coaching and go through the process 370 to reset his investment style parameter.
• Figure 13 illustrates a flow diagram for the "set Bull/Bear attitude" in operation 334.
• an opinion from the expert is rendered utilizing the network and witnessed in operation 388.
• At least one evaluation of the expert's opinion is then received from a subject utilizing the network.
• the step of obtaining the evaluation may be accomplished by displaying to the subject a plurality of choices for expressing the subject's agreement with the opinion of the expert, receiving a selection of one of the choices from the subject utilizing the network, and storing the selection.
• the plurality of choices displayed to the user may include the following: strongly agree with the opinion, agree with the opinion, neutral to the opinion, disagree with the opinion, and/or strongly disagree with the opinion.
• the user is prompted to input some basic personal financial parameters 318.
• the Personal Financial Parameters are quantitative. They may include, initial and target values of the portfolio, the user's investment time frame, and whether the portfolio is a tax exempt IRA, 40 IK or Canadian RRSP
• the risk model used for analysis projects the portfolio value forward compounded at its current rate of growth.
• Surrounding the forecast line there are risk bands showing best and worst case scenarios given the aggregated volatility of all contained securities.
• the bands are preferably defined for example, by Bell curve theory and represent a sigma value related to the confidence level the customer requires in the forecast. The greater the confidence required, the wider the bands. If the "floor' value ends up within the bands, the customer is at risk of an unacceptable retirement. The customer can settle for less confidence in the portfolio projection. He may also optimize a portfolio that hits the target with lower risk using the automated coaching to guide him.
• FIG 14 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for automated portfolio generation utilizing a network.
• Three powerful portfolio tools use the personal and financial profile parameters as inputs.
• a tool may be used to create a customized portfolio automatically. It may create an ideal proportional breakdown of security types based on the customer's personal and financial investment parameters. Having created a set of filters, it may then select appropriate securities of each type at the right level of risk and volatility, validate the aggregated growth and volatility, and iterate if necessary.
• This risk modeling tool may be used by the user or by the live advisor to on the customer's behalf.
• the risk modeling sub-system allows to automatically analyze an existing portfolio, or to swap stocks in and out of the portfolio with automated coaching or the live advisor's help.
• aggregated growth and volatility may be calculated based on the built financial portfolio. Further, it may be determined whether the aggregated growth and volatility match the financial information of the subject. Note operation 412. When it is determined in decision 414 that the aggregated growth and volatility fail to match the financial information of the subject, the filters maybe adjusted. Such filters are adjusted until the aggregated growth and volatility match the financial information of the subject. Finally, in operation 416, displays are generated based on the built financial portfolio.
• Figure 15 illustrates a flow diagram for modeling an existing financial portfolio.
• the performance of at least one investment of a subject is determined utilizing a network.
• the performance of the investment includes obtaining a transaction history of the investment in operation 418, obtaining a current market value for the investment in operation 420, and analyzing the performance of the investment based on the transaction history and the cu ⁇ ent market value of the investment.
• financial information is obtained relating to the investment of the subject.
• the step of obtaining the financial information relating to the investment may include obtaining historical data on the investment in operation 424, and obtaining research relating to the historical data of the investment in operation 426.
• the aggregated growth and volatility of the investment is calculated in operation 428. Such calculation may be performed based on bell curves, and other statistical techniques. Best case and worst case scenarios may also be produced.
• a projection to a target date is subsequently built for the investment.
• Note operation 430 This is done based on the determined performance of the investment, the financial information relating to the investment, and/or the calculated aggregated grown and volatility of the investment.
• displays are generated based on the built projection.
• Note operation 432 As shown in Figure 15, coaching and a report 434 may be provided to the subject utilizing the network based on the determined performance of the investment. Further, coaching may be provided to the subject utilizing the network based on the obtained financial information relating to the investment. Note operation 436. Such network may also be used to provide coaching in operation 438 with the generated displays relative to personal and financial parameters of the subject.
• the system obtains historical data, technical and fundamental data, and research and breaking news or expert opinion, all pertaining to the particular security 444.
• the coaching engine converts the data into natural language, non technical coaching strings 446.
• Automated coaching provides analyses of the technical and fundamental data and provides growth, risk and value analysis for each security selected 448.
• Figure 17 is flow diagram of an example of one embodiment of the automated and live coaching subsystem 192 for the LifePath model 1 4.
• the user has access to an automated coach or a live one at all level of the financial counseling model 102.
• the system checks the service level agreement 161 for the level of services included in agreement 464. If live coaching is part of the service level agreement available, the system would establish connection with a live coach 468 via live streaming video, still pictures, streaming audio, email, live chat, or direct telephone. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user's selection of the communication medium may also be restricted by the level of service selected. If the service level agreement 161 does not authorize this level of service, the user is limited to accessing an automated coach 466. In one embodiment of the present invention, the service level agreement may limit the user's access to automated coaching.
• the system may prompt the user on the need for more coaching and direct more coaching strings to the user screen based on the level of service selected.
• the automated coaching 466 may also encourage the user to increase his level of service, so that he may benefit more fully from all the financial management system has to offer.

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